FAIRMONT, W.Va. — Trailing 2-1 and down to their final two outs, Frankfort sparked a six-run uprising to defeat Fairmont Senior and defend their Class AA, Region 1 title. The Falcons eliminated the Polar Bears 7-2, winning their regional series two games to none.
Caleb Hare’s two-run single in the seventh gave the Falcons (26-5) their first lead of the game at 3-2. Frankfort added four more runs in the inning to take a five-run cushion into the bottom of the seventh. “Zach (Whitacre) had a couple good at bats and Caleb had a couple good at bats,” said Frankfort head coach Matt Miller.
“When those guys are up, I expect good at bats. And that’s what we got.”
Whitacre recorded the final three outs of the game in succession to send the Falcons back to the state tournament in Charleston. Hare, Whitacre and Brendan Whiteman each had a pair of base hits as the Falcons outhit the Polar Bears 9-6.
Fairmont Senior’s Connor Neal and Frankfort’s Sebastian Stewart were locked into a pitchers duel until the seventh inning. Stewart pitched six strong innings, scattering six hits and allowing just two runs. “The game plan here today was to let him go as long as he could,” Miller said. “Win or lose, I had Zack tomorrow. It is good to get that win. He pitched great.”
The Class AA semifinal rounds are set for Thursday, May 30. Seedings will be announced following the completion of the Point Pleasant-Scott regional series.
“This is what we expected,” Miller said. “Anything less would have been a disappointment. Our guys had one goal in mind and it hasn’t been accomplished yet. We are happy where we are at. You have to get through the regional to get to the state tournament. That is our goal.”
Fairmont Senior’s season ends with a record of 18-13.